Hi FrozeBudd,

I have a new Clematis for this year .. 'Prince William'.. presumably bred along similar lines to 'Princess Kate' etc.

I only planted it late so not that many flowers, and I'm not sure how typical they are, but shows much promise for next season. I rather like the colours.

..whilst here, this is one of my favourites, an older type called 'Star of India'.. at the bottom is almond scented Clematis x aromatica showing through..

Thank you Marlorena, 'Prince William' is one I've been eyeing, though have not yet seen available in Canada, sure would be a beauty to mix among others! I did have 'Star of India' long years ago and spied one at a nursery this spring, though it was so intertwined with others that I became frustrated attempting to releases its grips, I should have asked an employee to bring a pair of snippers, instead a young fella just kinda barked at me while I was trying to tease it free, lol.

Am always anxious in hopes of online listings offering a new must have variety or two :)

yeah, I know the feeling, untangling clematis and getting told off.. what do they expect you to do?..

I tried 'Astra Nova' and I wasn't keen on that one either for some reason. I also prefer 'Venosa Violacea' which is in my neighbour's garden and hangs over my fence, so I feel I have it.

I've also got 'Asao' new this year, the few flowers I had were so pretty. No idea if you get these in Canada..

I think I just looked suspicious standing there tickling the vines, lol.

'Astra Nova', I considered to make the purchase, though it didn't speak to me enough to do so ... yes, whereas 'Venosa Violacea' is a bit of a gem, I planted a large starter plug this spring and it grew 12 ft up into the yellow arborvitae. 'Asao' is available here. :)

'Blue Light' is excellent vigorous even treated as a type 3, I may purchase another or simply root a few cuttings.

'Cloudburst' hopefully shall find it's way to Canada!

'Cloudburst' was sold here in England for a while but disappeared for some reason, no idea why but I can't get it now.

'Blue Light' I see is a sport of Mrs Cholmondeley, I used to have that one..

Might as well show some Clematis pics, these are not new, just some of what I have here..

'Niobe'.. always stunning isn't it?.. never fails..

I have a soft spot for 'Souvenir de Capitaine Thuilleaux'.. doesn't repeat much though..

'Margaret Hunt' I think is exceptional and so easy to grow..

'Valour' is a newer viticella type, more compact.. not such a long season as others of this type..

'Walenburg'.. similar to 'Minuet', but more reddish/purple.. got a bit too much for me..

..this is 'Asao'.. the only flower I had this year..

'H.F. Young'.. new to me this season, I love the colour..

..one of my favourites is 'The Vagabond'.. May - Nov. non stop..

Marlorena, the photo of Souvenir de Capitaine Thuilleaux' shows a wonderful glimpse of your beautiful gardens!

'Niobe', yes, it and all rich reds do draw me! 'Margaret Hunt', I had this vigorous grower at my previous residence. 'Walenburg', I lost years ago to soil issues that have since been remedied. 'Valour', I think another for my wish list! 'The Vagabond', is establishing nicely after two years, always is with a few dark dramatic blooms.

'Floral Dance' / 'Poet', an clematis enthusiast from France mentioned this being among his favorites, I certainly understand, photo from the net.

'Viva Polonia', a compact grower performing well in my gardens.

FrozeBudd... those 2 are gorgeous, I wish I could get Floral Dance as it's right up my street. I'm on the lookout for one just like that. Purpurea Plena Elegans is similar I think, reddish, but I like the bluer shade there.

Viva Polonia is a real standout isn't it.. I can get that one..

Thanks.. my gardens are always changing.. so glad that you've got some of mine too, I never know what's available elsewhere..

Talking of rich reds, I also have 'Westerplatte'.. similar to Niobe and at times I can hardly tell the difference. I wonder if they get mixed up in commerce. It's a good doer so far, and repeats well..

'Purpurea Plena Elegans', I grew long ago in the past and never was overly taken with the unusual purple maroon color. I enjoy the double blooms of compact growing 'Kiri Te Kanawa', it appears 'Floral Dance' is more floriferous and taller growing in comparison.

'Westerplatte' was picked up last year on deep discount, though I had been too overly enthusiastic with the rich compost and the plant perished, at times I've been known to use a bit much TLC.

My gardens are in rather major transition to less annuals and more perennials, shrubs and conifers, as well am finally getting the knack of using sweeps of perennials, does make it all more cohesively pleasing to the eye. As well have reduced some beds in size and depth and set in walkways to define beds, always is fun to stand back and do a bit of redesigning!

@Marlorena @FrozeBudd_z3/4

You both have been giving me serious clematis envy!!

I need to get creative because all my obelisks, arbours, crabapple trees and lilacs have been underplanted with clematis.

But I want to keep planting new ones. Any advice/ideas are welcome! :)

@mazerolm_3a

You are already well ahead creatively speaking, having things well covered. Where I am I might not have chosen to underplant a Lilac, so I hope it's different where you are. One option you didn't mention - ground cover. It can be messy, it depends on situation but I have grown viticellas as such, and I've seen both herbaceous 'Arabella' and the larger 'Huldine' grown this way too.. and very effective planted amongst low shrubberies. Some herbaceous I would avoid as their flowers tend to flop downwards, you want upward facing flowers obviously for this purpose.

Very easy of course as I would cut the whole lot down in November, back to ground level,, clearing away for winter here, leaving a tidy look. I currently have 2 clematis, one a 'Voluceau' , and the other 'Asao', which I shall be using for this purpose.

Hey @Marlorena good to "see" you....again? (Were you away from this forum for awhile or am I mistaken?)

'Cloudburst' was sold here in England for a while but disappeared for some reason, no idea why but I can't get it now.

That is often the issue with many of these popular genus eg hydrangea, echinacea,.....clematis. There are so very many varieties with oodles of new ones coming each season, it can be difficult to source a specific one.

'Viva Polonia', a compact grower performing well in my gardens.

As you may recall @FrozeBudd_z3/4 I purchased VP after seeing your specimen. This was its second season in the garden and still it gave only a few flowers. Fingers crossed that it will show its "stuff" in 2025.

@rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)

Hi rouge, thanks, and yes it's been a long time, a few years hiatus. I'm here and there mostly on Roses, I remember your 'Campfire' was it? lovely row of colourful roses. Do hope you and yours have been keeping well..

I hope to be back more next Spring when the season starts again.. not much going on now for us in the north.

It's certainly annoying when you see a clematis elsewhere, and then find you can't get it any longer. A feeling of missing the boat.. Look forward to plenty of photos next year..

Excellent @Marlorena. You are an important member of this forum.

I remember your 'Campfire' was it?

Clearly there is nothing wrong with your memory :). (And yet all those "Campfires" are gone)

Marlorena, Rouge mentions of your memorable previous engagement of wonderful photos and comments, your presence upon the forum is appreciated and enjoyed, I hope you shall remain with us! :)

Rouge, as for 'Viva Polonia', mine is planted in a bit of a difficult location for the water that pours off the deck in that spot, I really should install a bit of an eaves of sorts. This spring, 'VP' was slow to wake up for the prolonged cool inclement weather, though a few sturdy shoots emerged from below ground to produce plenty of dramatic blooms ... though, once the main flush is finished, no more bit of new growth and blooms were pushed, 'The Vagabond' sitting nearby had fresh blooms until the deer nipped them off the other day, the season is done for, thus I'm no longer maintaining any deer defenses.

Mazerolm, some of the taller clematis scramble upon the many large specimens of 'Yellow Ribbon' arborvitae, this amazingly hardy vigorous cedar should be sheared from time to time. I also have planted 'Rain Dance' to weave through the lower branches of 'Yellow Ribbon' and as well upon Picea glauca 'North Pole'. Clematis 'Alionushka', 'Heather Herschell' and 'Inspiration' scramble through the many specimens of 'Moffatt Blue' upright juniper. Otherwise, most of my clematis grace the front of the house and some deck railings. I always attempt to pair up complementary colors for the effect to be harmonious rather than a stark contrast.

FrozeBudd / rouge ...thanks so much !.. I do take rather a lot of pics.

rouge, sorry your Campfire's are gone, but we all make these changes. I'm pleased to hear my brain cells are still functioning.

Anyone growing 'Propertius'.. ? might be tender for the far north, I'm not sure. One of my favourites. Flowers Spring and again in late summer.

..I think most people grow 'Miss Bateman' at least once.. 'Guernsey Cream' on the right..

..'Daniel Deronda'.. this died on me all of a sudden.. worth trying again. I do need another..

'Rhapsody'.. similar to 'Etoile Violette' but a redder centre.. hugely vigorous.. Got a bit too much for me.

'Roguchi'.. grew very tall for this position so I've had to move it but I'm quite fond of it.. Another not so easy to obtain here these days, more because it sells out quick.

So many beautiful varieties everyone! I'm especially happy to see the pics of "Viva Polonia" as I was able to purchase one on sale for $10 at Home Depot a few weeks ago. Can't wait to see what it does next year.

'Propertius', I have not seen available, it is of C. Koreana breeding, thus the extended bloom time. I had the below Koreana selection bred by a friend in Calgary, Alberta. The plant was wedged at the base of shrub, that when I moved it, very little root came up and sadly it slowly perished. It was a beauty that flowered the entire summer.

Marlorena, below is a mutant 'Joe Zary' of spring variegated foliage and very beautiful picotee blooms, the August flowers revert back to fully resembling the normal habit of 'Joe Zary', it's a bit of chameleon! This clematis was bred in Saskatchewan.

I believe your 'Rhapsody' quite possibly is mislabeled and instead is 'Polish Spirit', 'Rhapsody' is of very intense dark almost florescent blue, as well the plant is a compact grower. Yes, very often clematis are mislabeled, though sometimes not always is a bad thing! :)

'Rhapsody'

Bellarosa, I've seen your wonderful garden photos, you have very green thumbs, 'Viva Polonia' is apt to thrive in your gardens!

@FrozeBudd_z3/4

..nice Koreana, shame it didn't survive. Surprised it was bred in Calgary, I wouldn't expect it to be hardy that far north.

'Joe Zary' reminds me of a cactus Dahlia, rather startling and quite unusual.

I think you may well be right regarding my 'Rhapsody'... I should point out it was sold to me originally as 'Royal Velours', but I wasn't convinced as I expected it to be more reddish, so I hunted around and saw 'Rhapsody' in another garden, and thought that was mine, so I adopted that name.

Do you know 'Royal Velours'?.. to compare?

I don't know 'Polish Spirit', so I'm happy to defer to you on that one if correct... thanks so much ! I've been wondering about it for a few years now, not satisfied that I'd got the right name.

Marlorena, I had conversation with clematis breeder Stan Zubrowski regarding Koreana, I guess only its name is suggestive of being tender, it survives and thrives on the Canadian prairies, as well lends to repeat blooming and welcome new color breaks in offspring. I've only done a small bit of clematis breeding and produced this graceful beauty of 'Ruutel' x 'Duchess of Albany', as well had a good number of other unique seedlings that are no longer with me. It's not difficult to obtain one's own wonderful selection, and even just collecting open pollinated seeds often lends to nice surprises!

'Rhapsody' is of long sepals of such intense saturated true blue that it almost appears neon, as well the plant is of compact growth. So many plants are mislabeled at the nurseries, for long years I've been attempting to obtain the true 'Jackmanii Superba', but mostly it is instead 'Etoile Violette' or 'Gypsy Queen' or another! I did though finally spy it at a park and now have a cutting growing. 'Royal Velours' I had at my previous residence, rounded sepals of reddish purple, it is a good one to plant to scramble across a large shrub of yellow foliage, but on its own, I do not find the blooms to draw my eye so much as most others tend.

FrozeBudd,.. that's interesting to know that it grows well so far north. I wonder if perhaps it's winter damp such as we get, that can kill it off. I did lose one a few years ago and thought that might be the reason.

Your clematis is beautiful, I would buy that I think, it's so nice. Well done !

I used to have Duchess of Albany, sometimes preferred it to Princess Diana.

Yes the real Jackmanii superba is not easy to find it seems. I've heard it's often Gypsy Queen. I get irritated by wrongly named plants, and they don't usually stay once I realise.

I have this photo of 'Rhapsody' from another garden, growing with a rose called 'American Pillar'.. I don't know why I thought I had this one as it was nothing like it on reflection, and as you say, it's more compact. Lovely colour too.

Marlorena, yes, winter wet is a challenge for some plants, I'm in a region where mostly it stays frozen through the winter months, not necessarily always that terribly cold .... but, the few times the ground has remained thawed and soggy wet under the snow, then I've experienced perennial loses .... as well, explains why things like biannual rudbeckia hirta manage fine for myself, while for others in milder wetter climates it may perish.

Clematis 'Princess Diana' is of intense lovely coloring, though plant has low vigor, whereas 'Duchess of Albany' really can clamber about!

Your photo is instantly recognizable as 'Rhapsody', I sure would wish for such a striking color in a larger more floriferous plant. Crossing 'Jackmanii' x 'Rhapsody' might be something I should attempt.

On order for spring from Phoenix Perennials ... 'Ashva', Barbara Harrington', 'Crystal Fountain', 'Duchess of Cornwall' 'Diamantina', 'Josephine', 'Marie Louise Jensen', 'Reflections'. From Wildwood Express .... 'Alionushka', 'Inspiration', 'Kiri Te Kanawa', 'Red Star', 'Warsaw Nike', 'Multi Blue'. Have had several of these in the past, though since I now seem be beyond my clematis killing ways, I shall attempt them again. Several are of type 2, which in my climate will not flower as abundantly as those of type 3. though what the heck, I will enjoy all blooms I get!

You've been busy FrozeBudd, nice selection. I've only had 'Alionushka' of those. I remember it as a rapid grower needing a tall support. We shall look forward to some pics. later on.

Hope you can get them in the ground at the moment when it's not too frozen.

The clematis shall arrive to my doorstep in late April or May, I did go overboard with a few too many on order, lol. 'Alionushka', anyone laying eyes on this plant would certainly adore it! ... I as well have the somewhat similar 'Heather Herschell' that weaves through an upright blue juniper. I'll post plenty of photos summer '25, just hope the weather is decent good, seems we now alternate between bone dry hot summers, in which ties me to a garden hose, though I certainly prefer such to being pent up in the house during a summer of monsoon.

Oh ok my mistake, I overlooked your cold climate, Spring planting of course. I'm a bit spoilt in that we get them all year round. I'd like to order one more but can't make up my mind. I'd like another white, I've got 'Miss Bateman', and considering a revisit to 'Henryi' which I've had before but will wait a little longer in case anything new comes out soon.

I get astonished by the dramatic changes in climate for some people, from freezing cold to boiling hot, sometimes in a matter of days. I think it's called a Chinook.. ?..

On order for spring from Phoenix Perennials .......

I am speechless @FrozeBudd_z3/4! What an order!

from freezing cold to boiling hot, sometimes in a matter of days. I think it's called a Chinook.?

@Marlorenam yes you got it right ie "Chinook". But I believe our esteemed houzz member @FrozeBudd_z3/4 is too far north to experience these weather events. What say you @FrozeBudd_z3/4?

Rouge, I've been looking at other clematis varieties as well, though they really must jump out and grab me while doing google searches. :)

Marlorena, 'Miss Bateman', those rounded blooms with slight green bar and contrasting dark stamens makes it uniquely beautiful!

Yes, a continental climate here of Pacific and arctic tug of war with little barrier preventing bitter cold sinking down through much of Canada and upper US northern states ... especially strong outbreaks can elbow themselves even into normally milder zones, think back to the Texas deep freeze. The Great Lakes exert strong moderating effect for which if they did not exist, unmodified cold would easily slide through the region. Chinooks / Snow Eaters are a nice break from winter's chill and not uncommon to push temperatures in my region to 7 to 14C, "generally" the stronger the wind, the more the rise in temperature. The warmest Chinook I recall was back in the '80's during late December, temperature here topped at +19 C, Calgary being +22 C / 72 F. Calgary likes to tout of owning the Chinook as if these literally stop at their city boundary, lol .... though, yes, Chinooks tend to lessen the further north one goes, but occasionally can encompass the majority of the province and even push into Saskatchewan. I find winter to be refreshing, though very much dislike the most bitter that I can only relate the misery to the opposite spectrum of wretched hot sticky summer humidity we are fortunate to experience little of .... though, is not completely unknown in these parts, those conditions that so quickly soak one's clothing and any little bit of exertion has perspiration showering down into my eyes, all tasks become a burden and even as the sun sets, it remains too still and muggy to get any outdoor chores accomplished. Give me 32 C with low humidity and a bit of a breeze and I shall stay out the entire day working at moderate pace.

I'm glad I got the name right, I wasn't sure.. interesting about the weather changes, Canada has such extremes. During winter I like to check out Winnipeg on the BBC Weather chart as it makes me feel warm. I continue to be astonished at the abrupt change that sometimes occurs but do wonder how on earth I would survive such conditions at their coldest. One adapts, but how do people get groceries delivered..? and I reckon I wouldn't be seeing my neighbours too often.. maybe a good thing.

What I've noticed about the U.S is that the coldest parts seem to get hot very quickly in Spring, temps in the 80's whilst it's still cold here. I get a bit envious of that. I love the heat, I think I could handle a Winnipeg summer, Calgary even. The nearest I've got to Canada is the upper Missouri in the U.S., so I got a feel of summer there.

I think I could handle a Winnipeg summer

Keep in mind that summertime in the "The 'Peg" is known for an abundance of mosquitoes ;).

rouge, I didn't know that.. remind me not to go..

Marlorena, yes, Canada being very vast of region, thus of extreme varied climate, in mild wet lush costal southwest BC, hardy citrus is grown, where as dwarf willow, bog cranberries and cloudberries manage the extreme bitter Canadian far north. It's not uncommon for some to refer to my region as tundra for the at times very deep and long drawn out winters, but most would overlook of central Alberta being vast of regions of highly productive agricultural crops that are exported to world tables. Pockets and zones of agricultural crops exist even into northern Alberta, yet on the equivalent latitude of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec is where polar bears roam.

C. Koreana was hardy for me in Alaska. I loved it and would like one here, but they are hard to find.

Sheila, indeed the name 'Koreana' would have one assume such genetics to be far too tender to endure severe cold climates, though in this case it's surprisingly very winter hardy. I mourn having lost the pinky red one I had shown above, us gardeners are always uprooting and moving plants around and sometimes without having a replacement backup plant in the event of loss. :(

Some new ones to me include, "Blue Ravine" and "Elsa Spath", which I think has been around for awhile. I have them growing for now in my small greenhouse and they each have 2 blooms. Very excited to see them bloom! :-)

ok, I think I have a clematis addiction! We went to a couple nurseries and I bought a few more: Ville de Lyon (I have this one already), Bees Jubilee, Dr Ruppel, Barbara Jackman (?), General Sikorski, Multi-blue. These are not new varieties, but I didn't have them, so I'm adding to my collection. Anyone grow any of these and would like to share pics?

Bellarosa, I shall also add another 'Ville de Lyon', if I could grow only one clematis this would be it! I just received 'Warsaw Nike' a rich velvety dark purplish red, 'Multi Blue' appears to produce well on both new and old wood so thought I'd give it a try. 'Red Star' is another type II, 'Inspiration' an integrifolia variety and 'Alionushka' with its outstanding large bell shaped hanging blooms. I have eight others still to arrive in May. :)

Well hello again, I hope you've all had a good winter and are well, even if it's hanging on in northern climes.. Not had much of a winter in England this year, in fact I've not seen a snowflake and very little rain until today.

I don't know 'Ville de Lyon', but I've had 'Bees Jubilee' before, very strong colouring with the deep pink band very evident and showy, but a good grower. 'Elsa Spath' I knew as 'Xerxes' but a long time ago. 'Alionushka' I've mentioned before, herbaceous and very vigorous. The others I don't know.

I've recently acquired 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' which I've had before, and 'Huldine' which I haven't. I understand it's rather late to flower.

My koreana hybrid 'Propertius' has just started to flower..

..lots to come on 'Westerplatte', which I cut down to ground level earlier.

Marlorena, you're going to love Huldine! She's my favorite white clematis. I have 3 of them. She's get very tall, and the undersides of the flowers have a touch of lavender. Very pretty.

How do you like Westerplatte? I saw this variety at Home Depot.

bellarosa,

I have found 'Westerplatte' to be one of the easiest clematis I've grown, no trouble whatsoever right from a young plant. It's also not overpowering in growth and easily managed. Long flowering from early May to late June, and puts on a good show in Aug/Sept.

Do give it a try. It's very similar to several others I have, or have had, such as 'Ernest Markham', which I no longer have, 'Niobe' and 'Voluceau' which I do, but they're all a bit different. Possibly mixed up in commerce in some places.

I am so looking forward to 'Huldine', I've no idea why I've not had it before now.. so thanks for the information, can't wait to see it.

Every time someone adds a new message to this thread, I want to order another clematis! 😆. And I already have 8 coming in!

Nice to see your return Marlorena and your always lovely photos! I acquired 'Westerplatte' a few years ago and managed to kill it almost immediately with too much compost mixed within the potting soil, yes such is possible! I did have 'Huldine' way in the past, it was almost brutally vigorous, definitely requires correct siting.

Mazerolm, the plants from Wildwood Express were good as usual, 'Red Star' was a bit weaker and pale, though all are potted sitting in the solarium and doing fine including the mentioned. Now, awaiting upon the Phoenix Perennial order from Richmond, BC that likely shall not arrive for close to a month.

@FrozeBudd_z3/4: did you get a shopping notification from Wildwood? I forget if they send one or not. I have not received my order yet.

@bellarosa: check out this Youtube video, it features a garden arbor with Bees Jubilee and Dr Ruppel planted on each side. Just fantastic! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3md__BE2BbU&pp=ygUcZ2FyZGVuIGdhdGUgbWFnYXppbmUgY290dGFnZQ%3D%3D

Mazerolm, yes, I had received notification from Wildwood, with having the solarium, I requested my order arrive early, all are doing well and will set out when the weather decides to become stable. Nice video !! :)

Thanks, Marlorena, you've twisted my arm and now I'll have to get Westerplatte! :-)

Mazerolm, thanks, I did see that video. Beautiful garden!!

Here's a pic of Dr Ruppel in my small greenhouse. It's he pretty?! LOL

Gorgeous!! I bought Dr. Ruppel after watching that video! Glad to see a bloom up close! :)

I enjoyed the video, what a lovely cottage garden, and she's very bold putting those two clematis together..

bellarosa, delighted you are considering 'Westerplatte'.. mine will be flowering very soon for sure, and your 'Dr. Ruppel' has a good colour on the bars..

FrozeBudd, thanks, and great to see you again too.. I bet you can't wait to get the rest of your plants..

Some of my clematis will be flowering next week as it's warming up here. It raises the spirits..

@Marlorena: please post pictures when they do bloom! It will lift the spirits of those who still have lots of snow in their yard! 🌸

mazerolm.. yes I will thank you.. and I've just noticed you're in zone 3a.. wow !.. I guess that's the far north.. mind you, without the gulf stream, we'd probably be the same..